In Color. {l.r.h.}

her

Everything around Halli was new and exciting and, honestly, a bit frightening. She sat in a room that smelled like Axe body spray and buffalo wings, surrounded by boys who sat on the floor and played beat up instruments and sang songs she'd never heard.

It was a beautiful concept.

They could all sing, and Michael, who she had been told had bright purple hair, would shout out the names of who was singing so Halli could match the voices to the boys. They finished the song--something she'd heard when she was in middle school--and she rose to her feet to clap.

"Luke, you were wrong, they're great!"

It was quiet for a moment until Ashton smacked Luke's back. "Aw, thanks mate. Way to really talk us up."

Halli heard the distinct sound of cans opening and stiffened at the sudden the thick smell of liquor. She heard Calum stifle a burp. "Halli angel, do you want a beer?"

She shook her head immediately. "No, thank you." She turned to Luke. "Please take me back to the park," she whispered.

Michael gasped. "Do you live there? Oh honey, you can stay here. New York gets cold at night, I'd hate-"

She chuckled. "No, I just have something to do." She stood up, holding her hand out for Luke to take. "It was so great to meet all of you. I hope I can hear you play again."

Luke led her out, and they walked in silence for a while before he spoke up. "You don't drink?"

She shrugged. "If you can see straight, why would you ever give that up?"

"I guess I never thought about it like that."

"Most don't."

She could hear dogs howling from somewhere far off and cars zooming by. The night was warm, and Luke gripping her hand made her cheeks feel hotter than they should.

"I liked your friends." A smile crept up her cheeks. "They're fun."

"They're idiots."

She laughed. "Fun idiots."

They finally stopped at the bench where he'd first laid eyes on her. She grinned at him. "I'll be here tomorrow, if you haven't picked up on that."

"Goodnight, Halli.

"Goodnight, Luke."

Halli quickly made her way to Kat's grave, spilling out all of today's events, and counted the 947 Mississippis home. She stepped through the door, waving in the general direction of the night doorman, and was surprised to hear the shrill tone of her mother's voice.

"Halli Alaina Clemens."

"Sandra Renee C-"
"Upstairs. Your apartment." She grabbed Halli's wrist so tight it made her squirm as she was practically dragged up the stairs.

She slumped down on the couch, silently preparing herself for the lecture of a century about not being home for the daily inspection. Sandra sighed. "Do you know what time it is?"

Halli rolled her eyes. "Hold on, let me just check my wristwatch here."

Sandra continued, ignoring her daughter's comments. "It's 9:47 at night."

"Oh boy, past my bedtime."

Sandra was fuming, and Halli could practically feel the heat radiating off of her. The mother pounded her palm against her daughter's temple. "Hello? Is there a brain in that fat little head of yours?"

Halli's throat began to burn, as if she'd just downed one too many shots. She pushed a grin. "Hey, you know the old saying, the mind's the first thing to go."

Sandra scoffed. "The 'old saying' is that the eyes are the first thing to go."

"Well then I've got that one covered too."

Her mother growled. "I was looking for you all day. I almost called the police. Where have you been?"

"Oh, I met a guy at the park and went to his house to see his band rehearsal."

She thought her mother was going to keel over. "You... Halli Alaina... You got in the car with a stranger?!"

"God, no. I haven't been in a car for over a year. We just walked."

"He could've been a sociopath."

"Exactly what I told him."

"Are you listening? You could've died!"

Halli scrunched her nose. "Fingers crossed for next time."

"There really isn't a brain in your head. Where did I go wrong with you?"

Halli shrugged, ushering her mom to the door. "I'll tell you what, why don't you sleep on it? Bye bye now."

She slumped against the door, her heart thumping in her chest until she fell asleep on the hard wood.